Hebrews 10:4-10
4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”
8When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
- Light a candle to remember of Christ’s presence with you.
- Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
- Bring your focus to your body.
- Notice your desire to do the will of God.
- How is Holy Mystery inviting you to be the hands and feet of Christ today?
- What is God’s invitation for you?
- Invite the story of Mary, mother of God and her desire to do the will of God.
- How is Holy Mystery inviting you to be the hands and feet of Christ today?
- What is God’s invitation for you?
- Bring your focus to the Body of Christ.
- Notice your desire to do the will of God.
- How is Holy Mystery inviting the Body of Christ to be the hands and feet of Christ today?
- What is God’s invitation for you?
- Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
- Share as you feel led in the reply box below.
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Friday, March 25, 2022, the Annunciation of the Lord (Year C)
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 40:5-10
Hebrews 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38
If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2022 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD
Rev. Dr. Lil Smith is a trained spiritual director, supervisor, and co-founder of Retreat House Spirituality Center in Richardson, TX. Upon completion of her spiritual direction certification, Lil began Praying the Lectionary in 2011 as a spiritual practice for her morning prayer time. Instead of reading about someone else’s experience of God, it was important for her to create a prayer practice that would encourage felt sense experience of the Holy emerging from within. It dawned on her others might enjoy the practice, as well. So she began to share them on this site.
As you experience the practice of Praying the Lectionary, adopt a loving, caring, and compassionate stance. If the end of your prayer and meditation time is not pointing to love and hope, there is more work to do. Keep wrestling. God is faithful to your journey. Love and hope will emerge. Be gentle with yourself and befriend any judgment that arises in you.